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Becoming a better swimmer: structural complexity enhances agility in a captive-reared fish
I Ahlbeck Bergendahl1, S Miller1, C Depasquale1,2
1Center for Brain, Behavior & Cognition, Departments of Ecosystem Science and Management, and Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A.
Journal of Fish Biology
|December 13, 2016
Summary
Exposure to complex environments enhances swimming skills in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Even short-term enrichment significantly improves their agility and ability to navigate obstacles.
Area of Science:
- Ichthyology
- Animal Behavior
- Aquaculture
Background:
- Fish welfare is crucial in aquaculture.
- Environmental complexity can influence animal development and behavior.
- Understanding factors that improve fish performance is vital for sustainable practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment on the swimming performance of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
- To determine if a physically complex environment can enhance swimming agility and obstacle avoidance in fish.
Main Methods:
- Juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were reared for two months in either physically enriched or plain tanks.
- Following the rearing period, fish were tested for their swimming ability in a channel, focusing on obstacle avoidance.
- Swimming performance was quantitatively assessed to measure agility and response to environmental challenges.
Main Results:
- Rainbow trout reared in physically enriched environments demonstrated significantly improved swimming agility compared to those in plain tanks.
- Exposure to structural complexity enhanced the fish's ability to navigate and avoid obstructions during swimming.
- Even a relatively short period of environmental enrichment yielded measurable improvements in swimming performance.
Conclusions:
- Physically enriched environments positively impact the development of swimming skills in juvenile rainbow trout.
- Environmental complexity is a key factor in enhancing fish agility and adaptability.
- Aquaculture systems can benefit from incorporating environmental enrichment to improve fish welfare and performance.
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